Please send your news item to Jean Borgeson at jeanb@iowatelecom.net
June 5, 2017
ALUMNI GATHER – The annual meeting of the Rippey Consolidated School was held on May 27 in the Rippey United Methodist Church.
The meal was served at noon and later the group retired to the sanctuary for the meeting. President Verdina Hastings presided.
The Praise Powe Trio, consisting of Mary Ann Hick, Meladee Graven and Brenda Roberts, sang a few songs. They were asked to introduce themselves and tell about their connection to the Rippey School.
Mary Ann was raised on a farm west of Rippey and is the daughter of Paul Bardole, who graduated in 1930. Meladee said she graduated from East Greene in 1975. She lived in Rippey for a time, and her aunt, Kaye Rhoades Linger was a graduate of 1953. Brenda is the daughter-in-law of Phil and Toni Roberts and is the wife of their son, Chris.
Mary Ann, on behalf of the church, thanked the group for the honor of serving the meal every year. This year’s proceeds will help send some kids to church camp.
Verdina welcomed the graduates and their guests. She thanked Jean Borgeson, Mary Ann Miller, Shirley Linn and Gail Monthei for helping stuff, seal and stamp the letters, and otherwise helping whenever asked.
She especially thanked Kevin Hick, chief cook, and his kitchen crew for the wonderful meal consisting of Italian chicken breasts, cheesy potatoes, and green beans. The pies were furnished by Verdina from her favorite pie maker. The crew consisted of Mary Hick, Dick and Jo Bardole, Dale and Nancy Hanaman, Rick and Mary Liebeck, and Connie Neese.
The tables were decorated by Maralynn Rinker assisted by Jean Borgeson and Jo Bardole. Rick and Mary Liebeck set the tables up the night before. Beverly Derry and Marilyn Millard greeted the visitors and took care of the money for the day.
Verdina began the roll of graduates by honoring the oldest: Mary Dugan, 100, who graduated in 1934, and Eleanor (Lofstedt) Whiton, who graduated in 1938. Mary lives in Des Moines. Her nephews Jerry and John Luther and niece Rita Luther brought her. Eleanor lives in Perry and will be 96 in August.
The other classes represented were:
- 1943 – John May
- 1946 – Doris (Grow) Brown, Kathleen (Andrews) Linn, and Jean (Nation) Fountain
- 1949 — Vernon Fritz
- 1948 – LaVere Derry
- 1950 — Duane Harris
- 1953 – Marilyn (Radebaugh) Bordenaro, Valerie (Heater) Ogren and Keith Riley
- 1954 — Beverly (Todd) Derry and Phillis (Burrell) Johnson
- 1956 — Marilyn (Hiddleson) Pentico, Marilyn (Todd) Millard, Janice (Burk) Squires, Shirley (Minor) Linn, Dick Young, Russell Weaver and Cappie (Drake) Tucker.
- 1957 — Phil Roberts, Darlene (Mount) Johnson and Bill Fouch.
- 1958 — Larry Johnson, Gail Monthei, and Verdina (Odin) Hastings.
- 1959 — Dan Acton, John Bardole, Shielah (Rhoades) Sjeklocha, Lynn Wilson, and Mary Ann (Young) Miller
- 1960 — Susan (Fouch) Watson and Mary (Fry) Liebick
- 1961 — Norman Devilbiss, Dick and Janice (McCurdy) Schlicht
Verdina then honored the 60-year members and a letter of response from Phil Roberts was read. A collection was held to defray the expenses for the day.
The floor was open for election of officers for next year. There being no nominations, the meeting was adjourned in hopes that someone would come forward to preside next year. On Sunday, May 29, Mary (Fry) Liebick graciously agreed to preside over the Rippey Alumni Party in 2018.
The group retired to the Fellowship Hall for cookies, beverages and more visiting. (Some visited until they had to go to Grand Junction to be a part of the festivities there.) Russ Sjeklocha was in the 60-year class. Guests who signed in, numbered 23. It was a great day to visit with old friends.
MEMORIAL DAY – The Kinkead-Martin Legion Post #583 provided their annual ceremony at Pleasant Hill on Sunday, May 28, and again, on Monday, May 29, beginning at the church services at Fairview United Methodist Church and concluding with a ceremony at Fairview Cemetery. They traveled to the Bowers-Angus Cemetery, Old Rippey Cemetery, saluting the veterans there, before performing the closing ceremony at the Rippey Cemetery.
It’s always a busy weekend for these veterans. A special thanks to these men who take time out of their weekend to make Memorial Day special in these cemeteries.
There was a good crowd who stayed and ate at the Memorial Day lunch provided by the Rippey Methodist Church. There was plenty of food and lots of visiting on this special day.
COUSINS REUNION – Visitors on Memorial Day with Dale and Nancy Hanaman were the children and families of Bryan and Mavis Young, Wallace and Ruth Young and Mary (Young) and Laurence Huber.
Cousins came from Texas, Missouri and Iowa. Guests included Lynn Young Lawton, Mark Young, Sterling and Vicki Young, Robert Huber and Lyn Countryman; Kathy Young Sellers, Roger and Jackie Young, Eldon and Jane Young.
Additional family members had gathered for the observance at the Rippey Cemetery and the lunch at the Rippey United Methodist Church.
PIANO RECITAL – Violin, guitar, and piano students of Janice Johnston performed for their families and friends on Sunday evening, June 4, in the Rippey Community Room.
Approximately 47 parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and teachers enjoyed the talents of seven students who were featured. Sharing their talents were JoAllyn Rowe, Summer South, Keegan Lawrence, Daniel Cervany, Becca Davis, Tessa Fisher-Kerns and Joshua Sparks.
All were much improved and showed confidence as they performed. A light lunch was served by Gail Reuter.
MODEL A CLUB – Eight Model A cars of the Cedar Rapids Car Club enjoyed lunch in Rippey at noon on Sunday, June 4. Lunch was served by Friends of Rippey, with proceeds to help fund the Rippey library for this year’s summer reading program. The group was welcomed by Mayor Dan Brubaker, Phil and Toni Roberts, Shawneene Kenan, and Gary and Mary Weaver.
Shawneene gave an explanation to the group of 16 persons, explaining the basics of the summer reading program. This year’s theme is “Building A Better World.”
After lunch, the car club traveled to Coon Rapids and their final evening stop Missouri Valley. A note was received from their leader, Don Fink of Muscatine, expressing thanks for the nice reception and lunch.
RIPPEY LIONS HOST NATHANIEL GREENE – Nathaniel Greene (Roger Aegeter), namesake for Greene County, arrived in his Revolutionary War uniform at the Thursday, June 1, meeting of the Rippey Lions Club.
“Greene” shared about his early life in Rhode Island, his friendship with George Washington, and life after the war. He told the group that he was familiar with military strategy and was a key advisor to General Washington and was helpful in the Colonial Army’s successful fight against the British Army. Following the Revolutionary War, he was granted a plantation and a vast amount of land in the Carolinas where he lived with his family until his death in his 40s.
Prior to General Greene’s arrival, the Lions Club and guests enjoyed a potluck meal. A tree will be planted later to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs and a plaque will be placed near the tree. Other work will include finding a location for play equipment and finishing work at Osborn Park.
The Lions Club will host a free community picnic on Saturday, July 9. Members were reminded of the Town and County Band Concert on Saturday, June 24, in the evening on the library lawn sponsored by the Friends of Rippey to help raise money for renovation and other work in and around the Rippey ball park. Also on July 15, there will be a baseball game between even and odd numbered East Greene High School classes.
After a summer break, the next regular meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 7 at 7 pm at the Rippey United Methodist Church. Guests are always welcome.
Rippey United Methodist Church: PO Box 286, 103 West Main St. Rippey, IA 50235. Pastor: Paul Burrow, Pastor Rosa Soto. Phone: 515-436-7731. Adult Sunday school at 9:30 am; worship at 11 am; THUG youth group at 6 pm. Every Tuesday, quilters at 9 am, coffee and fellowship at 10 am. Every Wednesday, choir practice at 7 pm.
Rippey library: Librarian Shawneene Kenan; phone: 515.436.7714; website: www.rippey.lib.ia.us; E-mail: rippeyli@windstream.net. HOURS: Monday 1-6 pm; Tuesday 2-6 pm; Wednesday 3-6 pm; Thursday 2-7 pm; Friday 3-6 pm.
